À la base, les jeux de hasard et d’argent (JHA) se révèlent pour la grande majorité des gens une activité ludique agréable. On les associe effectivement aux loisirs, puisqu’ils répondent pratiquement aux mêmes besoins, dont la curiosité, le divertissement, la détente, la socialisation et la reconnaissance (Chevalier, 2003; Chevalier & Papineau, 2007; Paradis & Courteau, 2003). En contrepartie, ils constituent tout de même un risque d’excès. Bien que personne ne soit vraiment à l’abri de la dépendance, les écrits scientifiques montrent que certains groupes se révèlent particulièrement à risque. Avec les personnes qui souffrent de troubles mentaux et toxicomaniaques (Walters, 1997), la population correctionnelle se trouve parmi les individus les plus susceptibles de présenter des problèmes liés au jeu pathologique (Abbott, McKenna, & Giles, 2005; Ashcroft, Daniels, & Hart, 2004; Lahn, 2005). Or, si plusieurs études informent sur les habitudes de jeu précarcérales des hommes condamnés à l’emprisonnement, peu renseignent sur ce qu’il advient de cette pratique à l’intérieur des établissements de détention. Malgré une interdiction formelle des services correctionnels, on reconnaît pourtant la présence des JHA en prison (Abbott et al., 2005; Lahn & Grabosky, 2003; Nixon, Leigh, & Grabosky, 2006; Williams, Royston, & Hagen, 2005; Lahn, 2005). Cependant, la plupart des études se contentent trop souvent de dresser un portrait purement descriptif des types de jeux et des formes de mises. Une meilleure compréhension de cette pratique intra-muros se révèle essentielle, ne serait-ce que si l’on tient compte de la proportion non négligeable de détenus aux prises avec une telle dépendance. Cette thèse entend donc améliorer la compréhension de cette pratique dans les établissements de détention fédéraux du Québec, en se basant sur l’opinion et l’expérience de 51 hommes qui y sont incarcérés. Des entrevues qualitatives en français ont été effectuées avec des détenus québécois de plus de 18 ans, purgeant une peine d’emprisonnement minimale de vingt-quatre mois. Les résultats obtenus suite à des analyses thématiques sont répartis dans trois articles scientifiques. Le premier article décrit le déroulement des JHA intra-muros et analyse l’influence du milieu carcéral sur l’accès à ces activités et leur signification. Contrairement à nos attentes, le règlement interdisant les paris ne s’avère pas un obstacle central à leur pratique. Des éléments liés au contexte correctionnel et à la sentence en restreignent davantage la participation. La disponibilité et les bienfaits habituellement retirés des JHA, comme le plaisir et l’excitation, s’avèrent beaucoup plus limités que ce que ces activités offrent habituellement dans la société libre. Le second article étudie les conséquences potentielles des JHA, de même que la façon dont les détenus y réagissent. À la base, le seul fait que ces activités impliquent obligatoirement un échange d’argent, de biens de valeur ou de services rendus engendre pour tous les joueurs un risque de contracter des dettes. Une analyse dynamique montre que certaines frictions se développent autour des JHA, qui s’expliquent toutefois mieux par les caractéristiques du milieu carcéral. Le dernier article aborde les motifs qui justifient la participation ou non de la population correctionnelle à des JHA durant leur incarcération. Il tient compte des habitudes de jeu au cours des douze mois qui ont précédé la détention, soit des non-joueurs, des joueurs récréatifs et des joueurs problématiques. Pour la plupart des détenus, les JHA servent d’alternative ludique à l’ennui, mais certains les utilisent également dans le but de s’intégrer, voire indirectement de se protéger. Fait encore plus intéressant, malgré la présence de joueurs dépendants parmi les hommes interviewés, aucune des motivations généralement associées au jeu pathologique n’a été rapportée pour justifier la pratique des JHA en prison. En somme, les JHA demeurent généralement sans conséquence dans les établissements de détention québécois, puisque très peu de détenus semblent dépasser leurs limites et s’endetter. Les conflits entourant ces activités apparaissent surtout sous forme de querelles, suite à des doutes sur l’intégrité d’un joueur ou une défaite non assumée. Les événements violents, comme des règlements de compte, faisant suite à des dettes impayées se révèlent exceptionnels. Les résultats de cette thèse montrent également que certains joueurs pathologiques, malgré l’opportunité de s’adonner à des JHA, s’abstiennent ou cessent de miser au cours de leur incarcération. Ces dernières données permettent de réfléchir sur le concept de dépendance et sur les éléments prometteurs pour le traitement des joueurs problématiques incarcérés. / Basically, gambling is a pleasant pastime for the vast majority of people. It is indeed associated with leisure, since it fills almost the same needs, including curiosity, entertainment, relaxation, socialization and recognition (Chevalier, 2003; Chevalier & Papineau, 2007; Paradis & Courteau, 2003). However, it still involves a risk of excess. Although no one is truly immune to addiction, scientific papers show that certain groups have been found to be particularly at risk. In addition to people with mental disorders and addictions (Walters, 1997), members of the correctional population are among those most likely to present pathological gambling problems (Abbott, McKenna, & Giles, 2005; Ashcroft, Daniels, & Hart, 2004; Lahn, 2005). And yet, while several studies examine pre-incarceration gambling habits of men sentenced to prison, few report on what happens to this practice in detention facilities. Although gambling is formally prohibited by correctional services, its presence in prison is nevertheless acknowledged (Abbott et al., 2005; Lahn & Grabosky, 2003; Nixon, Leigh, & Grabosky, 2006; Williams, Royston, & Hagen, 2005; Lahn, 2005). However, studies too often content themselves with drawing a purely descriptive portrait of the types of games and bets. A better understanding of gambling in prison is essential, if we consider the non negligible proportion of inmates struggling with such an addiction. The objective of this thesis is therefore to improve our understanding of gambling in Quebec’s federal detention facilities, based on the opinions and experience of 51 male inmates. Qualitative interviews were conducted in French with male inmates over 18 years of age from Quebec, serving a minimum prison sentence of 24 months. The thematic analysis results were divided into three scientific articles. The first article describes the conduct of gambling within the walls and analyzes the influence of prison settings on access to these activities and their significance. Contrary to our expectations, the regulation prohibiting betting is not a central obstacle to this practice. Participation is restricted more by factors related to the correctional context and the sentence. The availability of gambling and the usual benefits derived, such as pleasure and excitement, are far more limited than those generally provided by this activity in free society. The second article examines the potential consequences of gambling, as well as the inmates’ reactions to them. Basically, the fact alone that this activity necessarily involves an exchange of money, valuable items or services rendered puts all players at risk of incurring debts. However, a dynamic analysis shows that some frictions related to gambling are better explained by characteristics of the prison environment. The last article addresses the reasons why members of the correctional population do or do not gamble during their incarceration. It takes into account the gambling habits of non-gamblers, recreational gamblers and problem gamblers over the 12 months prior to detention. For most inmates, gambling serves as a recreational alternative to boredom, but some use it also for the purpose of integrating, or even protecting themselves indirectly. Even more interesting is the fact that, despite the presence of gambling addicts among the men interviewed, none of the motivations generally associated with pathological gambling was given as a reason for gambling in prison. In summary, gambling generally remains without consequence in Quebec’s detention facilities, since very few inmates appear to exceed their limits and incur debts. Conflicts related to this activity consist mostly in arguments stemming from doubts concerning a player’s integrity or an unaccepted defeat. Violent events, such as settlings of accounts due to unpaid debts, were found to be the exception. The results of this thesis show also that, despite having the opportunity to gamble, some pathological gamblers quit or abstain from betting during their incarceration. This new information enables us to reflect on the concept of addiction and on promising avenues for treating incarcerated problem gamblers.

A qualitative study was undertaken about social workers rendering rehabilitation services to male offenders in a maximum correctional centre.The study was exploratory and descriptive. This study was prompted by the need to look more deeply at the maximum offenders entrusted to the Department‟s of Correctional services care and to research the challenges faced by social workers in rendering rehabilitation services to these offenders. The goal of this study was to explore and describe the challenges facing social workers rendering rehabilitation services to male offenders in a maximum correctional centre and to explore and describe strategies to address the challenges. The researcher used the eight steps provided by Tesch (in Creswell, 1994:155) to analyse the data systematically. Non-probability, purposive sampling was used in order to obtain relevant information from the correct participants. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science, Mental Health)

A qualitative study was undertaken about social workers rendering rehabilitation services to male offenders in a maximum correctional centre.The study was exploratory and descriptive. This study was prompted by the need to look more deeply at the maximum offenders entrusted to the Department‟s of Correctional services care and to research the challenges faced by social workers in rendering rehabilitation services to these offenders. The goal of this study was to explore and describe the challenges facing social workers rendering rehabilitation services to male offenders in a maximum correctional centre and to explore and describe strategies to address the challenges. The researcher used the eight steps provided by Tesch (in Creswell, 1994:155) to analyse the data systematically. Non-probability, purposive sampling was used in order to obtain relevant information from the correct participants. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science, Mental Health)

This research explores whether women offenders who committed property crimes suffer from feminization of poverty, and social deprivations as asserted by the economic marginalization theory. Social deprivations include being a single parent with dependent children at home, being the main financial supporter of a household and being primary caretaker to minor children.

A qualitative study aimed at exploring the nature and extent of the perceived social support available to male prisoners living with HIV at Pretoria Central Prison was conducted. A literature investigation into the life and world of male prisoners, with a focus on the nature and extent of the perceived social support provided to prisoners living with HIV, is presented. Fifteen (15) prisoners were identified by means of non-probability purposive sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted to collect information on how male prisoners living with HIV at Pretoria Central Prison viewed the nature and extent of the social support available to them. The study shows that the research participants living with HIV tended to receive social support from practitioners and other prisoners trained as voluntary caregivers. The study recommends that prisoners living with HIV should have greater access to social support from their significant others. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

A qualitative study aimed at exploring the nature and extent of the perceived social support available to male prisoners living with HIV at Pretoria Central Prison was conducted. A literature investigation into the life and world of male prisoners, with a focus on the nature and extent of the perceived social support provided to prisoners living with HIV, is presented. Fifteen (15) prisoners were identified by means of non-probability purposive sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted to collect information on how male prisoners living with HIV at Pretoria Central Prison viewed the nature and extent of the social support available to them. The study shows that the research participants living with HIV tended to receive social support from practitioners and other prisoners trained as voluntary caregivers. The study recommends that prisoners living with HIV should have greater access to social support from their significant others. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

No description available.